I got all kinds of brands in my garage, Arai, AGV, Bell, Ikon, etc. I think Arai is the best, but Ikon's are pretty good and cost less. I also have some brand (I forget) where my helmet is like a fighter jet helmet with an internal shade, way cool.

Everybody here is talking about features on the helmet. Remember this: you are buying one for the protection, not the style, looks, or features. I think that the Japanese helmets, and the Bell and Simpson are clearly the best, and while others may or may not be good, a known protector is better than taking a chance.

I've used several Arais over the years (I think 5 at last count), some of which got very banged up, not just scraped up, and I know they work. It's too big a risk to trying something untested.

Art

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"If I have seen further, it is because I have stood on the shoulders of giants" Stephen Hawkings

I use an HJC CL-16. The exact one I have (Hellion) is on closeout from most websites for under $100, it's $78 on one of the websites I've purchased gear from before. It's loud as all get out (I wear earplugs no matter how short the ride) and provides a lot of air flow up under the chin bar. Most of the reviews state that the air vents provide little throughput and I can confirm that as it makes seemingly no difference if the vents are open or closed, but the amount of air coming up from under the chin bar makes up for it. I rode last summer during that incredible heat wave and didn't die and I've ridden at a little under 40 degrees Fahrenheit (before I used a balaclava) and had a frozen face but feeling returned shortly after warming up. It's the only full face helmet I've ever known so your mileage may vary. And on a side note the GoPro curved 3m adhesive mount lines up perfectly to the curve of the helmet just behind the top air vent.

While it's only DOT approved I've ordered a Gmax GM68 that should be here next week (going on a long bike trip this summer and I want more airflow). It's one of the cheapest and best reviewed helmets for air flow that I've seen. I've also read two crash reviews that were positive so I feel like it's a pretty good deal for $100.